Diffusion systems and heat equations on networks

A theoretical framework for sesquilinear forms defined on the direct sum of Hilbert spaces is developed in the first part. Conditions for the boundedness, ellipticity and coercivity of the sesquilinear form are proved. A criterion of E.-M. Ouhabaz is used in order to prove qualitative properties of the abstract Cauchy problem having as generator the operator associated with the sesquilinear form. In the second part we analyze quantum graphs as a special case of forms on subspaces of the direct sum of Hilbert spaces. First, we set up a framework for handling quantum graphs in the case of infinite networks. Then, the operator associated with such systems is identified and investigated. Finally, we turn our attention to symmetry properties of the associated parabolic problem and we investigate the connection with the physical concept of a gauge symmetry.Comment: 120 pages, PhD Thesi

Emergent Properties of Interacting Populations of Spiking Neurons

Dynamic neuronal networks are a key paradigm of increasing importance in brain research, concerned with the functional analysis of biological neuronal networks and, at the same time, with the synthesis of artificial brain-like systems. In this context, neuronal network models serve as mathematical tools to understand the function of brains, but they might as well develop into future tools for enhancing certain functions of our nervous system. Here, we present and discuss our recent achievements in developing multiplicative point processes into a viable mathematical framework for spiking network modeling. The perspective is that the dynamic behavior of these neuronal networks is faithfully reflected by a set of non-linear rate equations, describing all interactions on the population level. These equations are similar in structure to Lotka-Volterra equations, well known by their use in modeling predator-prey relations in population biology, but abundant applications to economic theory have also been described. We present a number of biologically relevant examples for spiking network function, which can be studied with the help of the aforementioned correspondence between spike trains and specific systems of non-linear coupled ordinary differential equations. We claim that, enabled by the use of multiplicative point processes, we can make essential contributions to a more thorough understanding of the dynamical properties of interacting neuronal populations

Parabolic systems with coupled boundary conditions

We consider elliptic operators with operator-valued coefficients and discuss the associated parabolic problems. The unknowns are functions with values in a Hilbert space $W$. The system is equipped with a general class of coupled boundary conditions of the form $f_{|\partial\Omega}\in \mathcal Y$ and $\frac{\partial f}{\partial \nu}\in {\mathcal Y}^\perp$, where $\mathcal Y$ is a closed subspace of $L^2(\partial\Omega;W)$. We discuss well-posedness and further qualitative properties, systematically reducing features of the parabolic system to operator-theoretical properties of the orthogonal projection onto $\mathcal Y$

Heat equation with dynamical boundary conditions of reactive-diffusive type

This paper deals with the heat equation posed in a bounded regular domain coupled with a dynamical boundary condition of reactive-diffusive type, involving the Laplace-Beltrami operator. We prove well-posedness of the problem together with regularity of the solutions.Comment: 18 page

The Role of Inhibition in Generating and Controlling Parkinson’s Disease Oscillations in the Basal Ganglia

Movement disorders in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are commonly associated with slow oscillations and increased synchrony of neuronal activity in the basal ganglia. The neural mechanisms underlying this dynamic network dysfunction, however, are only poorly understood. Here, we show that the strength of inhibitory inputs from striatum to globus pallidus external (GPe) is a key parameter controlling oscillations in the basal ganglia. Specifically, the increase in striatal activity observed in PD is sufficient to unleash the oscillations in the basal ganglia. This finding allows us to propose a unified explanation for different phenomena: absence of oscillation in the healthy state of the basal ganglia, oscillations in dopamine-depleted state and quenching of oscillations under deep-brain-stimulation (DBS). These novel insights help us to better understand and optimize the function of DBS protocols. Furthermore, studying the model behavior under transient increase of activity of the striatal neurons projecting to the indirect pathway, we are able to account for both motor impairment in PD patients and for reduced response inhibition in DBS implanted patients

Well-Posedness and Symmetries of Strongly Coupled Network Equations

We consider a diffusion process on the edges of a finite network and allow for feedback effects between different, possibly non-adjacent edges. This generalizes the setting that is common in the literature, where the only considered interactions take place at the boundary, i. e., in the nodes of the network. We discuss well-posedness of the associated initial value problem as well as contractivity and positivity properties of its solutions. Finally, we discuss qualitative properties that can be formulated in terms of invariance of linear subspaces of the state space, i. e., of symmetries of the associated physical system. Applications to a neurobiological model as well as to a system of linear Schroedinger equations on a quantum graph are discussed.Comment: 25 pages. Corrected typos and minor change